NOTE. One or more of the Hymns for the several Sundays and Holy-Days will generally serve for the Week-days following.

HYMNS FOR SUNDAYS AND

HOLY-DAYS.

Morning.

I

First Sunday in Advent.

I.

Vox clara ecce intonat.

WAKE! a voice is sounding nigh:
Light is breaking o'er the sky :

Hence, vain slothful dreams, away!
Jesus bringeth in the day.

2 Now ye slumbering souls arise,
Shaking loose all fleshly ties ;
Lo! the new-born Star Divine
Sheds on earth its ray benign.

3 From above the Lamb is sent,

Cancelling all our punishment :
Seek we then, with contrite tears,
Freedom from our guilty fears;

4 So, when He again shall come,
Striking earth with terror dumb,
May we not His anger see,
But His grace our shelter be.

5 Honour, glory, love, and praise
Be, through never-ending days,
To the Father and the Son
And the Spirit, Three in One.

I

2

2.

Amen.

Attributed to St. Ambrose.
W. E. Green. (tr.)

Verbum supernum prodiens.

WORD Eternal! who wast God
Before creation's prime ;

Content, as Man, with man to dwell
In late-revolving time:

Now kindle in our breasts the flame
Of heavenly love and light;

That sin still lingering may from thence
At Thy command take flight.

3 So when Thy Judgment-throne is set
And every heart laid bare ;-

When secret guilt, and hidden worth,
Shall each just guerdon share ;—

4 May we not stand with wicked men
Thine enemies confest ;

But enter, with true virgin souls,
Thine everlasting rest.

5 Then glory, honour, power, and praise
In grateful hymns shall be

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Through all eternity. Amen.

W. E. Green. (tr.)

I

2

3.

Conditor alme siderum.

MAKER of the starry sphere,
Light to faithful bosoms dear,
Jesu, Saviour, Lord of all,
Hearken to Thy people's call.

When our nature fainting lay,
Crushed by Satan's cruel sway,
Blest Physician, Thou in love
Cam'st with healing from above.
3 In the blessèd Virgin's womb
Purest flesh Thou didst assume,
That to God on high might rise
An all-holy Sacrifice.

4 Unto heaven exalted now,

At Thy holy Name shall bow,
All that on the earth do dwell,
All in heaven, and all in hell.

5 Thou, who on the judgment day
Our most secret thoughts shalt weigh,
Shield us now with pitying care,
Guard us from temptation's snare.

6 Honour, glory, love, and praise
Be, through never-ending days,
To the Father and the Son

Evening.

And the Spirit, Three in One. Amen.

The three preceding Hymns may be used throughout Advent.